President's Office Staff

MaryPat Lohse, Ph.D.Chief of Staff/Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Planning and InitiativesAs the principal aide to the president, MaryPat handles a wide range of matters on behalf of the president, works closely with the Board of Trustees, and oversees operations within the office of the president. A member of the president's Cabinet and the Council on Enrollment, MaryPat works closely with the president on the implementation of the university's strategic plan, the development of university partnerships with other educational and cultural institutions, and the implementation of other university initiatives. MaryPat provides leadership, coordination, and oversight in the development of defined core initiatives for the university and serves as the president's primary liaison with university constituencies. Prior to joining Lesley, MaryPat worked at Brandeis University, Boston College, and Wheelock College. MaryPat holds a Bachelors degree in English from Canisius College, a Master's degree in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Boston College. She has worked in higher education administration for more than 16 years.

Kathy SammartinoAssistant to the PresidentKathy joined the president's office in 2014, but has been with Lesley University for 17 years. Kathy supports the president on a number of projects and manages the logistics of the office, correspondence, meeting preparation, and scheduling. Previously at Lesley, Kathy served as Administrative Coordinator to the Chief Financial Officer, as well as the Collections Assistant in the Office of Student Administrative Services. Prior to joining Lesley, Kathy had careers in retail management and for the former Digital Equipment Corporation. Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management at Lesley University.

Barbara “B.J.” Addison Reid, Ed.D. Director of Equal Opportunity and InclusionBarbara collaborates with the President, Cabinet, President's Council, Diversity Council and the Affirmative Action Advisory Board in delineating policies and practices that help the organization achieve it vision, mission, and goals. She also has oversight responsibility for equal opportunity, affirmative action, resolving discrimination complaints, and diversity training and development for managers and employees. Barbara holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and a Masters degree in Counseling from Northeastern University. She earned a Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has worked in academic institutions for more than 30 years.

Shirin Philipp, Esq.Vice President and General CounselShirin provides legal advice to the University. She works with the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administrators on a variety of legal matters, including governance, contracts, student affairs, employment, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, and risk management. Prior to joining Lesley, Shirin was a partner at the law firm Foley Hoag LLP, where she led the nonprofit organizations practice group and also represented investment managers and private funds. She joined the firm following a clerkship with the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. Shirin has her J.D. degree from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. degree from Dartmouth College.

Kathy McWeyAssistant to the President for Advancement and University ProjectsSecretary, Board of Trustees

Kathy serves as Assistant to the President for Advancement and University Projects and is Secretary to the Board of Trustees. She is also the Budget Unit Head, responsible for all budgets within the office. Before joining Lesley in 1991, Kathy worked at Amherst College, Boston College, and for several years at Radcliffe College, where she served as Administrative Assistant to the President and as Personnel Officer for the School. Kathy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, magna cum laude, from Boston College, and has taken various graduate classes at Harvard University Extension and Lesley University.

Wendy HarrisAssistant to the General CounselWendy joined the President's Office at Lesley in the fall of 2006. She is the Assistant to the General Counsel and Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion. Prior to joining Lesley, Wendy worked in the Development Offices at Harvard University's Law School and Kennedy School of Government conducting research and coordinating events. Wendy graduated from University of Massachusetts in Boston with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.

Michael ProcopioExecutive AssistantMichael joined the President's Office at Lesley in the spring of 2011. He supports the Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives as well as the Assistant to the President for Advancement and University Projects/Clerk to the Board of Trustees. Before joining Lesley, Michael worked as a human resources assistant at Eastern Corporate Federal Credit Union. Michael graduated from Stonehill College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.